Perhaps my celeb crush Keanu Reeves has his reasons why he prefers to stay in hotels and literally live out of the suitcase.
This is what I did over the weekend: gather all my kids in a taxi for a very short 10-minute or so ride to this nearby hotel. We may have stayed only overnight but the break was exactly what I needed to do the things I wanted to do: not go to the market and plan the menu ( it was a given that checking in meant eating out), give the maid a break from her domestic duties, and simply get out of the domestic ennui we were in. It’s not exactly refreshing to see our antique apartment’s old walls and wooden floors 24/7.
It doesn’t matter that I immediately felt claustrophobic once we were settled in. With all five of us, we could have done better with a suite or something. Not to mention the fact that Paolo kept jumping from one twin bed to another, like he was part of a trapeze circus. Or that the bath easily got flooded because the kids treated it like one giant swimming pool.
One thing I learned: why settle for the ordinary room when you can choose to be in the executive floor? For a thousand peso difference, you can have “personalized service, express registration/check-out, daily buffet-breakfast, all-day coffee, tea and non-alcoholic refreshments, a private library with a selection of reading materials, free internet/wi-fi access at the lounge with one-time free printing of five pages, free use of the boardroom, pressing of one suit upon arrival” etc. At least this was what the hotel’s welcome letter told me the moment I plunked down the couch and turned on the TV for a dose of cable.
The best part I thought was the free sunset cocktails that came with the package. I realized that nothing in the world could compare to the exhilarating feeling I got as a positioned myself in the lounge’s window seat on the 18th floor that Friday afternoon, watching Manila Bay’s world-famous sunset. It dawned on me that for all its madness and decay, Manila remains such a beautiful, ageless city by viewing and appreciating it from this angle: seeing the tree-lined stretch of Roxas Boulevard, Manila Yacht Club’s serene-looking marina, Mayor Atienza’s psychedelic lollipop bulbs down Baywalk and the architectural glory that’s the Cultural Center, among others. I swear I never wanted to be in another city that moment.
I would like to think that the hotel remains one of the most underrated in its class, which is partly good for us since it keeps them from raising their prices. The coffeeshop offerings maybe mediocre (or simply ‘hopeless,’ considering the number of times I’ve been here) but service is good and The View is totally priceless. Truth to tell, I wouldn’t exchange this one with any of Makati’s plush establishments.
The Traders Hotel Club Floor: Highly recommended, most especially for having one of the best views in Manila.
Methinks that was your way of getting rid of that writers block, hehe. You’ve got high tastes. 🙂
your entry made me feel like running off to the nearest hotel 🙂 Glad you had a great time 🙂
It is nice to get away once in a while, isn’t it? Away from the never ending house work (ooops may maid ka pala). I am not so much into staying in hotels (especially when my children starts calling them “home”) but I must admit that staying in a five star hotel with the package you mentioned, I wouldn’t mind paying a thousand peso more.
once in a while, it feels good to have somebody doing things for you. good decision, letting that 1K for the Club Floor.
Nice idea. Maybe I settle for the Manila Hotel! 🙂
this is helpful as i’m starting to check out hotels for next year’s trip.
glad you had a good time, even if it was a short one.
saya! did the kids hang out at the pool?
Seems you guys enjoyed your “hotel break-away.” You needed that.
nice. sounds like a peaceful and much welcomed rest 🙂
High tastes, Tito Rolly? Di naman masyado, hehe.
Thanks for dropping by Hana. I’d like to know about your favorite hotel escapades too..share naman.
Yay, you’re right AL. Baka ma-spoil ang mga anak sa kaho-hotel But I do love staying in them..specially sleeping in the bathtub (grin)
Thanks for dropping by Owen and Sidney. Yeah, the Manila Hotel is a classic.
Hi Thess dear..if you need some more tips, ask me;)
Yes AnP..the kids had a super grand time in the pool on the third floor. Open air sya and the weather was absolutely perfect on those two days that we stayed
Hi Jayred and Dexie. We enjoyed it but some good things never last, haha. Back to work uli.
Regards everyone and TC!
My husband and I do that too! We just take a break from condoliving and book a hotel for the weekend. The last time we did it was last August at Manila Diamond. It was a great refresher! Are the rates at Traders the same? Do they have a rates page? I can’t find it in the website!
Tonigurrrl, I emailed you already;) Yes, those two hotels by the bay should have the same rates
weight loss fast:!:
I just like to say that your website is absoulutely brilliant!!! Do you think my sites too brilliant 😉 ?